Oncell single-layer touch sensor

Abstract

In one embodiment, a device includes a display stack including a number of layers. The layers include a cover layer and one or more other layers. The device also includes a touch sensor disposed on a surface of a particular layer of the plurality of layers of the display stack. The touch sensor includes a number of first electrodes oriented along a first direction. Each of the first electrodes includes a plurality of first conductive regions. The touch sensor also includes a number of second electrodes oriented along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the second electrodes includes a second conductive region. The second conductive region of each of the second electrodes being interdigitated with a respective adjacent first conductive region of multiple first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device comprising:
 a display stack comprising a plurality of layers, wherein the plurality of layers comprises a cover layer and one or more other layers; and 
 a touch sensor disposed on a surface of a particular layer of the plurality of layers of the display stack, wherein the touch sensor comprises:
 a plurality of first electrodes oriented along a first direction, each of the first electrodes comprising a plurality of first conductive regions; and 
 a plurality of second electrodes oriented along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, each of the second electrodes comprising a second conductive region, the second conductive region of each of the second electrodes being interdigitated with a respective adjacent first conductive region of multiple first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes such that the second electrode does not intersect in a touch sensitive area the multiple first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the particular layer of the plurality of layers is the cover layer of the display stack. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first electrodes is configured to operate as a sense electrode of the touch sensor; and 
 each of the second electrodes is configured to operate as a drive electrode of the touch sensor. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first electrodes is configured to operate as a drive electrode of the touch sensor; and 
 each of the second electrode lines is configured to operate as a sense electrode of the touch sensor. 
 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first conductive regions comprises an extent along the second direction and one or more projections from its extent along the first direction; 
 each of the second conductive regions comprises an extent along the second direction and one or more projections from its extent along the first direction; and 
 the one or more projections of the second conductive region of a second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes capacitively couple to the one or more projections of the respective adjacent first conductive region of the multiple first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover panel; and 
 an adhesive layer disposed between the touch sensor and the cover panel. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first conductive regions comprise a mesh of conductive material. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein respective edges of the first conductive regions have a sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first conductive regions are coupled along the first direction by a track of conductive material. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ground lines, wherein a respective ground line of the plurality of ground lines separates an adjacent pair of second electrodes. 
     
     
       11. A device comprising:
 a display stack comprising a plurality of layers, wherein the plurality of layers comprises a cover layer and one or more other layers; 
 a touch sensor disposed on a surface of a particular layer of the plurality of layers of the display stack, wherein the touch sensor comprises:
 a plurality of first electrodes along a first direction, each of the first electrodes comprising a plurality of first conductive regions; and 
 a plurality of second electrodes oriented along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, each of the second electrodes comprising a second conductive region, the second conductive region of each of the second electrodes being interdigitated with a respective adjacent first conductive region of multiple first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes such that the second electrode does not intersect in a touch sensitive area the multiple first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes; and 
 
 one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is configured to, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to control the touch sensor. 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the particular layer of the plurality of layers is the cover layer of the display stack. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 each of the first electrodes is configured to operate as a sense electrode of the touch sensor; and 
 each of the second electrodes is configured to operate as a drive electrode of the touch sensor. 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 each of the first electrodes is configured to operate as a drive electrode of the touch sensor; and 
 each of the second electrode lines is configured to operate as a sense electrode of the touch sensor. 
 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 each of the first conductive regions comprises an extent along the second direction and one or more projections from its extent along the first direction; 
 each of the second conductive regions comprises an extent along the second direction and one or more projections from its extent along the first direction; and 
 the one or more projections of the second conductive region of a second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes capacitively couple to the one or more projections of the respective adjacent first conductive region of the multiple first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes. 
 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a cover panel; and 
 an adhesive layer disposed between the touch sensor and the cover panel. 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first conductive regions comprise a mesh of conductive material. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 11 , wherein an edge of the first conductive regions has a sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of first conductive regions are coupled along the first direction by a track of conductive material. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of ground lines, wherein a respective ground line of the plurality of ground lines separates an adjacent pair of second electrodes.